YARRAWONGA has been dumped as the preferred location for an all-abilities adventure playground with the community group behind the proposal embracing Mulwala as the park’s future home.
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The Yarrawonga foreshore was identified as the first-choice spot when the proposal was launched 18 months ago.
But frustration with Moira Shire in advancing the project has resulted in the community group shifting to the other side of Lake Mulwala with its plans.
Corowa Shire has pounced on the unexpected opportunity and identified Apex Park and Purtle Park as possible locations in a recently released Mulwala foreshore master-plan.
The community group pushing for the playground has already been approached with offers of support since making the decision to switch towns.
The final nail in the coffin for Yarrawonga came at the most recent Moira meeting when a planning permit with stringent conditions attached was passed without unanimous support from councillors.
Group spokesperson Kaitlyn Cummins said the ongoing lack of support from Moira Shire was the clincher in heading to Mulwala.
“We put in the time, we got the resources, we got the community behind us and got a significant amount of funds together,” she said.
“But Moira Shire didn’t come good with their end of the bargain and is typical of the council in recent years.
“There is a lack of infrastructure in Yarrawonga and a lack of development for a town that is a tourist destination and seen as the jewel in the crown of Moira Shire.
“We felt the Yarrawonga foreshore was better connected to the town and was going to be the ideal location.
“But from a funding point of view it is more practical with more options in NSW.”
Mrs Cummins said the community group already had $300,000 of funding and further commitments of in-kind support to assist in building the playground.
Corowa councillors and senior staff were fully briefed of the proposal a month ago.
Mulwala has three major licenced clubs and the playground group will begin applying to the NSW clubs grants program for further funding.
The cost of the playground has been estimated at more than $1 million with minimum annual maintenance costs of around $40,000.
The council set aside $200,000 in its latest budget for the playground.
Moira Shire was unavailable to provide comment when contacted yesterday.
